Youth Delegate Program

Forest Professionals BC is offering post-secondary students a unique opportunity to participate in the 2026 forestry conference, February 4–6 at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver.

Over the years, we have received many requests to provide post-secondary students with complimentary access to the conference. But our experience has shown that simply handing out free passes to students provides minimal value and a questionable experience for the students. This year, in partnership with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree, we are able to provide students with an enriched conference experience that directly relates to their career aspirations in professional forestry.

Students selected for the new Youth Delegate Program will receive complimentary access to the full conference, as well as an exclusive student-focused program on Wednesday, February 4. The curated, half-day session is designed to boost career readiness, explore what it means to become a registered professional, and help them build confidence as they enter the forestry sector.

The student program, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., will include two parts:

• Career preparation including building soft skills such as communication and networking, how to receive feedback, and an opportunity to develop and practice an elevator pitch to use throughout the conference. (delivered by Project Learning Tree staff).
• The meaning and responsibilities of being a registered professional including the importance of becoming registered with Forest Professionals BC, the registration and articling process, resources available to support trainees, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (delivered by FPBC staff and registrants).

Once the student program concludes, students are free to join the Forest Professionals BC conference which begins at 1 pm on Wednesday February 4. A group dinner for the students will be hosted by Project Learning Tree on Wednesday February 4. Participating students will also be matched with a practising forest professional for the duration of the conference, and students will have access to the full conference program including all meals, the recognition banquet, and the inductees luncheon. A schedule for the full conference program is available on the Forest Professionals BC conference website.

This opportunity is open to students who reside in British Columbia and are enrolled in a forestry or natural resource program at a BC post-secondary institution. The program is limited to 25 students and students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

Please share this information with any interested students in your program.

The application deadline is December 19, 2025.

Click the button to apply.